Our purpose
Business creates opportunities for people to work together, understand different perspectives and build shared interests. UECN connects businesses across China and the UAE to encourage cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to peace.
Discover Our MissionThe UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed an electronic service providing emergency return documents to Golden Visa holders whose passports are lost or damaged abroad. The digital document is issued in an average of 30 minutes and remains valid for re-entry within seven days.
Abdulla Bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, toured Dragon Mart alongside Trakhees licensing directors. The visit focused on evaluating commercial workflows and easing licensing procedures for Chinese trading businesses. Trakhees confirmed active initiatives to reduce administrative steps and simplify commercial permits for tenants expanding across Dubai and the Gulf.
China Merchants Energy Shipping and COSCO Shipping Energy reported sharp net profit increases for the first three quarters of 2026. The financial gains were driven by an extraordinary surge in crude freight rates on shipping routes connecting the Gulf and China. In September, rates on the Middle East export TD34 route rose from $200,000 to over $800,000 per day.
China's energy supply chain is showing resilience against geopolitical conflicts impacting Gulf maritime trade routes and global energy flows. Higher domestic natural gas production, expanded strategic storage, and supplier diversification have cushioned the market from supply shocks. While exposure to Persian Gulf transit routes remains high, strategic reserves have mitigated immediate disruption risks.
Ras Al Khaimah concluded a friendship agreement with China's Fujian Province alongside 10 bilateral Memoranda of Understanding spanning robotics, finance, and infrastructure. In parallel, UAE entities including DEWA International finalized agreements with Chinese technology and energy firms. The developments follow senior UAE delegation tours across Guangdong and Fujian provinces.
Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies
UAE corporate entities must comply with Federal Tax Authority Decision No. 13 of 2026 regarding input VAT deductions. Taxable businesses are required to verify supplier identity, commercial address, license validity, and transaction rationale before claiming input tax. The FTA may deny claims under a 'knew or should have known' standard if transactions involve tax evasion.
The UAE federal government updated its official customs duty and tariff documentation across all emirates on October 28, 2026. The standard customs tariff remains at 5 percent of CIF value, with higher rates applied to alcohol and tobacco. Imports from GCC nations qualify for domestic treatment if at least 40 percent of raw materials originate within the bloc.
The UAE Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority have reminded businesses generating Dh50 million or more in annual revenue to appoint an Accredited Service Provider by October 30, 2026. Non-compliant firms face monthly administrative penalties of Dh5,000. Full mandatory e-invoicing for this group will take effect on January 1, 2027, followed by smaller firms later that year.
Follow the trade, investment and partnerships bringing China and the UAE closer together.
Saudi national shipping carrier Bahri posted a net profit of SR5.09 billion ($1.36 billion) for the third quarter of 2026, up 890.7% year on year. The performance was driven primarily by oil transport operations as tanker rates on the route from the Middle East Gulf to China hit an all-time high. Revenue for the period increased by 503.7% to SR14.83 billion.
The Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) launched the 2026 China-Arab Business & Investment Report during the Investopia Bridge 2026 forum in Abu Dhabi. Jointly produced with Investopia and backed by HSC Asset Management, the report tracks bilateral cooperation across traditional industries and emerging technologies. SIEF also announced a strategic climate resilience partnership with the World Bank.
Active Chinese corporate memberships in Dubai Chambers reached 6,650 by September 2026, marking an increase of over 200 percent over a decade. Concurrently, UAE sovereign investor Mubadala reaffirmed China as an anchor of its Asian direct investment strategy amidst strengthening bi-directional capital flows.
The 46th Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and 29th electronicAsia attracted over 61,000 buyers from 141 countries and regions. More than 3,200 exhibitors presented advanced artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, and electronic components. Chinese Mainland tech companies and start-ups leveraged the platform to secure global commercial leads, including interest from Middle East clients.
Explore the industries creating new opportunities for cooperation across both markets.
Manufacturing
BYD has officially named its upcoming Yangwang flagship luxury electric sedan the Altior for overseas markets and Dingyao in China, following confirmation of an unveiling in the United Arab Emirates. Teaser imagery reveals coach doors and a roof-mounted lidar sensor, while technical specifications, launch pricing, and exact schedules remain unconfirmed by the carmaker. Media reports indicate an estimated Dubai reveal around November 5 with an unverified price tag near $300,000.
Finance & Investment
China-UAE Investment Cooperation Fund, L.P. filed its quarterly Form 13F-HR report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the period ended September 30, 2026. The filing was registered on October 28, 2026, according to a notice from StreetInsider. Form 13F filings provide quarterly transparency into U.S.-listed equity holdings held by institutional investment managers.
Energy & Sustainability
International procurement executives and Gulf commercial delegations gathered in Guangzhou on October 27, 2026, for the 140th China Import and Export Fair. UAE and global buyers assessed supplier compliance, pricing, and manufacturing capacity across machinery, sustainable energy, and commercial goods. The event highlighted expanded participation from Belt and Road partner countries.
Consumer Markets & Tourism
Chinese mobility firm ARIDGE, an affiliate of XPENG, delivered its Land Aircraft Carrier test aircraft to the UAE under an agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority. The modular unit will undergo flight tests in the emirate's advanced air mobility regulatory sandbox. Initial trials will evaluate airspace safety protocols, emergency rescue scenarios, and aerial tourism applications.
Stay informed about official travel advisories, entry restrictions and transport disruptions across the Middle East.
Official travel advisory
Oman and wider Middle East transit routes
Official travel advisory
Qatar
Official travel advisory
North Sinai, Egypt-Libya border, South Sinai, Rafah crossing, Taba crossing
Official travel advisory
Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait
Alerts are based on official sources and show when they were last verified. Always follow the guidance of the official authorities. The absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.
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